According to TMZ, the overdose took place in her house in Hollywood and that medical staff had to treat her with Narcan, described as "an emergency treatment for narcotic overdoses".

While her spokesman told American network NBC that she is currently "awake and with her family who want to express thanks to everyone for the love, prayers and support", it was only four months earlier, in March, that the 25-year-old former child star celebrated six years of sobriety.

"So grateful for another year of joy, health and happiness. It IS possible," she tweeted then.

Yet, her latest single released in June, Sober, revealed that all was not well and that she had suffered a relapse. "Momma, I'm so sorry, I'm not sober anymore/And daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled on the floor/To the ones who never left me, we've been down this road before," she sang in the chorus.

The Disney star, who found fame through the network's television films Camp Rock (2008) and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010), has always been candid about her personal problems. In a 2011 interview with American network ABC, she spoke about being bullied as a child. The bullying led to depression, an eating disorder and an addiction to alcohol and drugs.

A year earlier, Lovato had to pull out from a tour with fellow Disney stars Jonas Brothers and enter rehabilitation, at the age of 18, after she punched her backup dancer. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder then.

"It breaks my heart that she is going through this. She is a light in this world, and I am sending my love to her and her family."

Lady Gaga tweeted that "we should all wrap our arms of love around Demi Lovato".

"I am so happy you're alive. Thank God. If I know my monsters as well as I believe I do, we all wish you self-compassion and inner peace. And may you receive the love so many have for you. #ImConfidentInDemi Demi, I love you."

The Straits Times

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